Have you seen an expiry date on a spice jar? It's a rare thing. So we've crafted this handy guide to help you determine when to toss. It's a 3-part test based on colour, aroma and shelf life: Ground Spices 2-3 years Seasoning Blends 1-3 years Herbs 1-2 years Seeds 4 years Extracts 4 years Whole Spices up to 4 years(whole peppercorn, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks , cloves, cumin and cardamom can stand the test of time) If you aren't sure how long a jar has been in your cup